Christmas in the United States of America 

Christmas in the USA is officially celebrated on December 25^th.  Many families begin their celebrations on Christmas Eve, December 24^th.  For most families, Christmas is a religious holiday in which we celebrate the birth of the Christ child.  As such, most families attend church services either on Christmas Eve or Christmas day.  The vast majority of Americans are either Catholic or Protestant (Baptist, Methodist, and so on).  So religion plays an important part of the holiday celebrations.  We usually take 1 to 2 weeks off from school to celebrate this holiday.

Many families begin to decorate their homes for Christmas right after our Thanksgiving Holiday which is in late November.  A traditionally decorated home will include a wreath made from evergreen branches hanging on the front door.  We also put a Christmas tree in our homes.  Some people chop down real trees, and others use plastic trees.  We hang ornaments on our tree in remembrance of the early days in America when gifts were left hanging on trees outside the home.  The tree usually has either a star or an angel on the top.  Families with children often hang “stockings” by the fireplace for small treats from Santa. There are usually candles in red or green placed about the home.  Many families set up a Nativity, which is a small scene showing the day Christ was born.  It includes a Christ Child, Mary, Joseph, the three Wise Men, and shepherds. Some people add snowmen, angels, and other “wintery” decorations to their homes as well.

Families of some religions have an Advent Wreath in their homes.  Advent is the four weeks prior to Christmas. The Advent Wreath symbolizes the impending arrival of the Christ Child.  It has three pink candles and one purple candle.  On the fourth, third, and second weeks before Christmas, families light one of the pink candles.  Then on Christmas, we light the purple candle so signify Christ’s birth.

On Christmas Eve, children look forward to a visit from Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas as some call him.  They often write letters to him in the months before Christmas to tell him if they have been good or not, and to ask if they may receive gifts at Christmas.  Then, on Christmas Eve, it’s early to bed for the children, who hope Santa Claus will visit.   He is believed to travel in a sleigh which is pulled by eight magical reindeer.  He comes to us all the way from his home at the North Pole.   We often leave a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for him.  The children awaken early on Christmas Day and run to the Christmas tree to see if Santa came and to see what he left. 

Christmas is very much about families being together.  Schools and businesses close, and most people do not work on Christmas Day.  The day is for spending time with your family.  Many people travel to visit relatives on Christmas Day.  We also celebrate with food.  Traditional Christmas Dinners may include a ham, or roasted duck or lamb.  There is usually “dressing” (a spicy bread casserole).  There are lots of vegetables and fruits.  There is also a good bit of desserts such as pumpkin pie, Christmas cookies, fruit cake, and chocolates.  Because our country is a “melting pot” of many nations, Christmas dinners may be Italian, French, Spanish, or any other nationality you can think of.

You may be wondering about Americans who are not religious, or are not Christians.  They usually celebrate too.  Those who are not religious usually celebrate much the same as Christians, only they do not observe the religious aspects of the holidays, nor do they attend the church services.  There are a number of Jewish citizens in America that do not celebrate Christmas at all.  They celebrate the holiday of Hanukah instead.  Hanukah is celebrated for 8 days in December, usually just before the Christmas holiday.  Americans who originated from Africa usually celebrate Christmas and a holiday they call Kwanzaa.  Kwanzaa is a celebration of the family, the community, and the African American culture.

Written by Charlene Hallman and 2nd grade students at Paine Primary School in Trusville, Alabama, USA